India, US sign nuclear reprocessing pact

Washington, July 31(ANI): Taking another step towards the implementation of the 2008 Indo-US civil nuclear deal, the two countries have signed an agreement on reprocessing spent nuclear fuel.

Indian Ambassador to the US Meera Shankar and U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns signed the agreement at a US State Department ceremony on Friday.

"The arrangement with India reflects President Barack Obama's strong commitment to building successfully on the landmark US-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Initiative and is a prerequisite for US nuclear fuel suppliers to conduct business with India," The News quoted a State Department statement, as saying.

The pact enables reprocessing of US-originated nuclear material by India under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards, and will facilitate participation by US firms in India's rapidly expanding civil nuclear energy sector.

"Increased civil nuclear trade with India will create thousands of new jobs for the US economy while helping India to meet its rising energy needs in an environmentally responsible way by reducing the growth of carbon emissions," the statement added. (ANI)